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Albanese Candy

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Albanese Candy is a candy manufacturer in Hobart, Indiana. Founded in 1983 by Scott Albanese, it specializes in the production of gummies and chocolate-covered goods. As of 2022, the company employs roughly 700 workers and ships to 41 countries.[1][2] It is said to be the home of "the world's best gummies."[2][3]

Albanese Candy
Product typegummies, chocolate
CountryIndiana, United States of America
Introduced1983
Websitealbanesecandy.com

Founder

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Scott Albanese, the founder, was born in Dolton, Illinois. He credits his success to a strong work ethic attributable to "his construction/bricklayer/restaurant/blue-collar upbringing".[2][4][5] He was inspired to open the business after buying raw materials of chocolates, candy, and nuts, and identifying a business opportunity. He says that opening a business in the 1980s seemed like poor timing, but that he saw an entrepreneurial opening and took it. He says that a commitment to consistent high quality and product integrity was integral to his success.[2] In 2018, the Indiana Small Business Development Center gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award.[6]

History

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In 1995, the Merrillville facility had 10–12 employees.[7]

In 1998, Albanese developed a new technology to allow more intense flavor release from gelatins.[8] The system coats the candy trays with corn starch, a process used by only three candy-makers in the United States.[9] More than 300,000 lb (140,000 kg) of gummy bears are sold every day.[10] Albanese is particularly known for its gummy candy; the Hobart store sells gummy worms, butterflies, and green army soldiers amongst many other shapes and flavors.[11] In 2006, the company introduced 27 in (690 mm) multicolor gummy snakes.[12]

The Albanese company's soldier-shaped gummies were shipped to Iraq and distributed to deployed soldiers in 2003.[2][13] This effort left the United States Air Force members feeling overlooked, and the company developed a product line featuring military jet aircraft molds: a B-2 Spirit, F-15 Eagle, F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-22 Raptor, F-117 Nighthawk, and SR-71 Blackbird.[14]

In late 2004, a factory measuring 350,000 sq ft (33,000 m2)[15] and an outlet store were opened in Hobart, Indiana.[16] The Hobart factory formerly offered self-guided tours;[17] in the entrance hall, there was a 32 ft-tall (9.8 m) chocolate fountain, the largest in the country. [2][18]

In 2014, gummies graced a large scale stained glass window mural in Tokyo, Japan's Espace Luis Vuitton museum.[2] In 2014 the company also spent $16 million to expand its retail store to 190,000 sq ft (18,000 m2).[7]

In 2017 the company announced that they would be adding 150 employees at the Hobart location. Additionally, they decided to invest $33 million into that location. The city of Hobart gave the company a ten-year tax abatement. The company said they would have 550 employees at the Hobart location.[7]

In 2019 the company's Hobart location had a machinery fire.[19] In 2020 one of the workers at the Hobart factory had to be airlifted to a hospital after being injured in the factory.[20]

The company is continuously experimenting with products for key theme parks, Fannie May, and Marshall Fields, Scott said.[14]

Awards

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  • 2006 Professional Candy Buyer's Product of the Year award - technology award for developing a process that can put omega-3 fish oil in the gummies[21]
  • 2020 Next Awards: Albanese Confectionery’s Ultimate 8 Flavor Gummi Bears won the Consumer Choice Award for Food and Beverage.[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ Christin Nance Lazerus (September 23, 2017). "Albanese serves up sweet success". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Laverty, Deborah (May 1, 2018). "Times Business & Industry Hall of Fame: Scott Albanese enjoys sweet success". The Times of Northwest Indiana. nwitimes.com. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  3. ^ "The World's Best Gummies are Made at Albanese Candy Factory" (Video). visitindiana. December 20, 2010 – via YouTube.; "Albanese Featured on Unwrapped" (Video). Unwrapped. Food Network. November 8, 2010 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ a b "Albanese, Undercover Snacks win 2020 NEXTY Awards". BNP Media. March 25, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Gummi Product Becomes A NEXTY Award Winner". Vending Market Watch. Endeavor Business Media, LLC. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  6. ^ Steele, Andrew (November 16, 2018). "Region's top entrepreneurs honored". NWI Times. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Caffarina, Karen (December 21, 2017). "Candy company announces $33M expansion in Hobart". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  8. ^ "About Albanese Confectionery". albanesecandy.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.; "Indiana's Sweet Spot: Albanese Candy Factory". visitindiana.com. October 29, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  9. ^ Franklin, Lu Ann (November 9, 2008). "Sweet sensations: Candy manufacturer thrives with region confections". The Munster Times. p. E1 – via Newspapers.com. ; "Sweet Sensations, continued". The Munster Times. November 9, 2008. p. E4 – via Newspapers.com. 
  10. ^ Laverty, Deborah (September 15, 2016). "Albanese talks up a sweet business". The Times of Northwest Indiana. nwitimes.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  11. ^ "Gummi bears put Hobart on the map for candy fans worldwide". The Munster Times. July 15, 2014. p. A9 – via Newspapers.com. 
  12. ^ Rodovich, Carrie (November 26, 2006). "Snakes have Albanese candy on a higher plane". The Munster Times. p. A8 – via Newspapers.com. 
  13. ^ "Candy Soldiers Called to Active Duty". The Munster Times. January 3, 2003. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com. ; "Soldiers, continued". The Munster Times. January 3, 2003. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com. 
  14. ^ a b McHugh, Paula (November 17, 2005T). "Sweet Excursion to Albanese Candyland" (PDF). The Beacher. Vol. 21, no. 45. pp. 1–5. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  15. ^ "Albanese Confectionery: Northwest Indiana born and bred". edayleaders.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  16. ^ Laverty, Deborah (November 27, 2004). "Candy land: Newly opened Hobart retail store offers 2,000 types of confectionaries". The Munster Times. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com. ; "Candy, continued". The Munster Times. November 27, 2004. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com. 
  17. ^ Steinweg, Carrie (March 4, 2016). "Staycation itinerary: You don't have to travel far for family fun". The Munster Times. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com. 
  18. ^ "10 things to do for spring break". Chicago Tribune. March 25, 2016. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com. ; Thomas, Phyllis (June 19, 2012). Indiana Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places (E-book). Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot. p. 98. ISBN 978-0762786053.; Enjoy Indiana Travel Guide. Indiana Department of Commerce, Tourism Development Division. 2010. p. 33.
  19. ^ Ortiz, Anna (September 11, 2019). "Albanese Candy Factory evacuated after machinery fire breaks out". The Times of Northwest Indiana. nwitimes.com. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  20. ^ Ortiz, Anna (March 17, 2020). "Albanese Candy Factory worker airlifted after suffering traumatic injury, firefighters say". NWI Times. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  21. ^ Ammeson, Jane (July 12, 2017). "Sugar-coated innovation make for sweet times in Merrillville". NWI Times. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
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41°28′12″N 87°16′12″W / 41.47000°N 87.27000°W / 41.47000; -87.27000

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